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By now, most of you must know that I am somewhat of a health nut. I am against fast food on every level and I know some believe that ignorance is bliss but it would be cruel on my part if I did not share this information.

If you don’t have time to read the whole thing, I’ve gathered the highlights for you below.

1. DUCK FEATHERS & HUMAN HAIR
WHAT&WHY: I-cysteine is derived from the above and added to dough to make it more malleable. Why can’t you just add water?!
WHERE: Found in many fast food bakery products such as McDonald’s Baked Apple Pie, Wheat Roll, and Warm Cinnamon Roll.

2. SAND
WHAT&WHY: Silicon dioxide AKA silica is added to processed beef and chicken to prevent clumping.
WHERE: Found in the chili from both Wendy’s and Taco Bell (I also want to note that this sand derivative is also added to cosmetics and this versatile chemical is also used as a pesticide)

3. WOOD
WHAT&WHY: Cellulose AKA processed wood pulp is used to thicken and stabilize foods, replace fat and boost fiber content. I don’t know about you but I would rather get my fiber from eating spinach…
WHERE: McDonalds, Taco Bell, KFC, Sonic, Pizza Hut, Wendy’s, Arby’s, Jack in the Box and many others

4. SILLY PUTTY PLASTIC
WHAT&WHY: Dimethylpolysiloxane is a form of silicone used in cosmetics and the Silly Putty. It’s added to fryer oil to keep it from foaming. Would you like your French fries with a side of plastic?!
WHERE: McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish and French fries

5. TBHQ
WHAT&WHY: Tertiary butyllhydroquinone is derived from petroleum and used in cosmetic/skincare products, varish, lacquers and resins — and processed food. The article does not say why but I would assume that since it’s used in varnish and lacquers, it adds shine to the user?
WHERE: McDonald’s uses it in 18 products ranging from their Fruit and Walnut Salad to McNuggets. Please note that the FDA mandated that the chemical should not exceed .02 percent of the food’s oil and fat content because five grams of this stuff is lethal.

6. SOIL FERTILIZER
WHAT&WHY: In the fast food industry, ammonium sulfate is used as “yeast food for bread.” In the agricultural industry, it’s a fertilizer for alkaline soils and an agricultural spray adjuvant for water soluble insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.
WHERE: Fast food bakery products.

8. MECHANICALLY SEPARATED MEAT
WHAT&WHY: The FDA defines the above as “a paste-like and batter-like poultry product produced by forcing bones, with attached edible tissue, through a sieve or similar device under high pressure to separate bone from the edible tissue.” After going through this process, the goop is treated with ammonium hydroxide to remove excess bacteria. AND THEN they add the meat flavoring because the ammonia probably killed everything, including the taste.
WHERE: Hot dogs, salami, bologna, burgers and chicken nuggets